Minutes of Meeting – February 1, 2012; meeting called to order at 7:00pm.
Present: J McNinch; D Roche; L Messana; K Fowler; D Trancynger.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Ralph Petillo from the Chamber updated the Board on current/future activities such as the success of the Voice of Hope gala recently held at the Seven Hills (a check for $55,000 was presented to the Elizabeth Freeman Center) and the plans to hold a Guilded Week, in conjunction with the tub Parade the second or third week in September.
MOTION by DT, seconded by LM to accept the Minutes and Executive Minutes of January 18 as presented. 5/0 vote
The Board discussed putting together a group to work on a new by-law for memorials on Town-owned land for placement on the upcoming ATM warrant. It was suggested that one member from the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Kennedy Park Commission, Conservation Commission and perhaps an at-large citizen serve. KF agreed to act as liaison with this group.
Marketing and Events: Committee Chair Kim Flynn updated the Board on the committee’s activities. She explained that things are moving forward quickly, and that the new web site, Discover Lenox, will work as a social media network for businesses to post to. She went on to say that 30-50 people attended the round table discussions held recently at Cranwell. A new item that they are working on is a cycling event to be held in May, with a 40-mile and a 75-mile tour which would begin and end in Lenox. She explained that there is nothing like this in New England, but in New York State, registration was filled in 46 seconds! MOTION by DR, seconded by DT to grant approval for the Marketing and Events Committee to pursue the possibility of bringing this cycling event to Lenox. 5/0 vote.
The TM then suggested to the Board that the Town consider using up to $3000 from the economic development funds to hire a grant writer to submit a National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” grant application. The grant award can be up to $150,000 for efforts that would bring the arts more into the fabric of the community. Kim Flynn stated that the committee had endorsed this expenditure. MOTION by KF, seconded by DT to approve the hiring of a grant writer for no more than $3000 to write a grant for submission to the National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” grant. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by DR, seconded by KF to approve the agreement with the Town of Lee to accept effluent from homes located along Bramble Lane as well as the Lenox town beach. 5/0 vote.
DR briefly went through the upcoming sewer projects that will hook Tanglewood onto Town sewer, and redirect Canyon Ranch’s flows away from the Brunell pumping station. He wanted to make it clear that these projects are not for the benefit of a private enterprise, but will benefit the Town and our pumping station. Anyone hooking into town sewer will pay a connection fee; the grant funding is paying for the pumping and piping improvements.
The Board discussed how they would like to proceed with the FY13 budget. JM felt that he would like to meet with the larger departments to hear what their needs are, similar to what was done last year. He thought that one department per meeting would work well. DR stated that he thinks that the Town should look into leasing vehicles rather than outright purchases, especially with regard to DPW vehicles. DR also mentioned again that he would like to see the difference between the salary paid when someone retires vs. a new hire being placed in an OPEB account.
Consent Agenda items: MOTION by KF, seconded by LM to grant permission to the Berkshire Christian School to hold a 5K road race on May 5, 2012 as they did last year; one-day W&M license to the Berkshire Bank Wealth Management for an Open House on 3/16 from 2-4pm; one-day W&M license to the Lenox Children’s Center at the Lenox Library on 4/28 from 6-9pm for a wine tasting; permission for the Lenox Youth Basketball Association to hold their annual craft fair in Lilac Park on August 10-12, including the Friday night movie, the pancake breakfast and craft fair. 5/0 vote. MOTION by DT, seconded by DR to grant permission for a temporary banner to the Lenox Fitness Center from 2/2-15. 4/0 vote with LM recusing herself.
Old/New Business: DR stated that he has enjoyed being the liaison to the Marketing and Events Committee. KF informed the Board that he has received one-page statements from the various individuals on the Wind Research Panel, which he will share with them. LM went through the February employee anniversaries. She mentioned that she had received a call from someone about dogs running loose in Kennedy Park even though there is a leash law in Town. KF stated that there is a sign that states that dogs need to be under the owners’ control, but he feels that this language could be a liability for the Town, and that the signage should be changed to state that dogs need to be leashed. MOTION by DT, seconded by DR to authorize the TM to sign a new 3-year contract with Constellation Energy for our electricity. 5/0 vote.
By roll call, LM, DR, KF, DT and JM voted to go into Executive Session at 8:25pm to discuss contract negotiations, and to not return to open session.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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